Back / lumbar spine Board decisions

The Board has determined that the Veteran's claims for service connection for bilateral hearing loss, an acquired psychiatric disorder (claimed as sleep-wake disorder and PTSD), a low back disorder, right knee disorders, left knee disorders, right foot disorders, and left foot disorders are remanded due to inadequate VA examinations. The claims will be reconsidered after new examinations have been conducted.

The Veteran withdrew all pending appeals, including those for higher ratings and service connection.

The Board denied the Veteran's claim for service connection for a back condition, finding that there was no evidence of a current disability related to service. The Board considered multiple VA and private medical opinions and found them persuasive in concluding that the Veteran's back condition is not linked to his military service.

The Board has determined that there was a duty to assist error in the September 2021 AOJ decision and has ordered additional development. The claim is remanded for an addendum opinion addressing whether the Veteran's lumbar spine degenerative arthritis was aggravated by her service-connected left knee strain.

The Board dismissed the claim for service connection for hypertension as a matter of law, denied an initial compensable rating for bilateral hearing loss, and remanded claims for service connection for various conditions including a lumbar spine disorder, bilateral plantar fasciitis, vertigo, sleep apnea, skin cancer, and an acquired psychiatric disorder.

The Veteran's right knee strain and DDD/IVDS have been granted service connection.,Left knee condition remains pending due to insufficient development.

The Board has granted the Veteran's claims to reopen for service connection of back, right hip, left hip, right lower extremity radiculopathy, and left lower extremity radiculopathy disabilities. The ratings have been increased to 20% from September 9, 2016 to October 2, 2022, and to 30% from October 3, 2022 for right knee disability and left knee disability.

The Veteran's low back condition and associated radiculopathies were evaluated, with the Board denying increased evaluations.,The Veteran's service-connected conditions have been rated based on their current manifestations.

The Veteran's appeal for a compensable rating for hepatitis C prior to October 20, 2017, and in excess of 10 percent thereafter has been dismissed. The case is remanded for further development regarding the TDIU claim.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues with the VA examination and lack of range-of-motion loss estimates. The Veteran's low back disability prior to July 30, 2020, needs further evaluation.

The Board has remanded the claim for a rating in excess of 20 percent for a low back disability due to the need for further development, including obtaining a retrospective opinion regarding functional loss and assessing whether there is 'functional ankylosis' of the Veteran's back.

The Board has remanded the Veteran's claims of service connection for a low back disability and an arthritis disorder of the hips and shoulders due to insufficient evidence in the previous VA medical opinion.

The Board has granted an initial increased rating of 50 percent for the Veteran's low back disability, effective October 1, 2006. The issue of an initial increased evaluation greater than 40 percent remains on appeal.

The claims regarding reduction of the disability ratings for low back strain and left knee degenerative joint disease have been dismissed.,The claim regarding reduction of the disability rating for tinea versicolor remains on appeal.

The Veteran's claims for earlier effective dates for increased disability ratings of 30% for tension and migraine headaches, and 20% for a lumbar spine disability have been granted.,Effective February 8, 2019, the Veteran is entitled to the increased disability ratings.

The Board has granted service connection for a lower lumbar spine disorder and narcolepsy. The claim of service connection for an acquired psychiatric disorder (including PTSD, depression, and anxiety) is remanded due to the need for a VA examination.

The Veteran was granted TDIU benefits as of October 16, 2012. He also received SMC based on aid and attendance as of the same date.,An effective date of May 28, 2011, for TDIU benefits was granted.

The Veteran's lumbosacral strain has been granted a 40% disability rating effective October 26, 2024.

The Veteran's claim for TDIU has already been granted with an effective date of April 25, 2018. The appeal is dismissed as there are no remaining issues to be decided.

The Veteran's claim for an increased rating for lumbar strain is remanded due to a lack of adequate VA examination and the need for further evaluation.